Haltemprice and Howden Liberal Democrats

We have been calling for a realignment of politics for decades. I have welcomed the courageous move by 11 Members of Parliament to sit as independents. We now must seize the moment and maximise this opportunity to reshape British politics.

Those MPs who have defected to the newly formed "Independent Group" come from different political traditions to our own. We should respect them for being honest about the fact that their former parties no longer articulate their values. Thankfully, our party, is different and still articulates the values that we have always held. In the politics of Brexit, we agree on a lot and have a shared desire to see a People's Vote. We shall cooperate in achieving that.

Today I'm supporting a Private Members' bill to give people seeking asylum the right to work.

For me this is about the pride of we can all get from work - it's not just what we do, often it can define who we are.

As it stands, people seeking asylum who make it to Britain are only allowed to work after twelve months after submitting their claim for asylum and only if they can fill a job on the government's very narrow shortage occupation list (like ballet dancer, or nuclear waste decomissioner).

Today, 7 MPs left Labour to form an independent group. I felt they were brave and said I hoped we'd be able to work together.

What I didn't say is I felt the answer to many of their reasons for leaving are addressed right here, with the Liberal Democrats.

To those former Labour MPs who resigned today. You are brave. This must have been an incredibly difficult step. Look forward to (continuing) to work with you in Parliament. Especially towards delivering a People's Vote and a more fair and equal Britain.

It's not unexpected, or unwelcome. In part, they've been pushed to this by Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to respect his party's policy on Brexit.

"I am furious that the Labour leadership is facilitating Brexit." Mike Gapes MP on the #LabourSplit.
The British people deserve better opposition to Brexit.
Liberal Democrats are the only party dedicated to fighting Brexit. Join us today https://t.co/Bomm21Qhk9

Every May, there are local elections in the UK, to elect the councillors that local after our local communities.

In the Liberal Democrats, we're committed to making sure this year's local elections produce the biggest gains ever, returning hard-working Liberal Democrat councillors to town halls right across England.

It is less than a month now to Spring Conference in York. I'm sure many of you will by now have booked your trains and your accommodation to join us for all the interest that two days packed full of motions, training, fringes and meeting up with others from across the country. If you haven't booked yet, you can do so here: libdems.org.uk/spring-conference

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